"I don't agree with the Bible"....

So usually I write about funny things, stuff related to movies, or whimsical fancies.  I'm going to hit 'pause' on that for a moment...


This morning I did quite a bit of 'rabbit trailing' on the internet.  You know how it goes:

Read a blog post, click on a link embedded within to a news article, read that, click on a different link on the sidelines, hear a phrase you don't know, type 'define ______' into google, see a wikipedia page for it, read that and 10 other wikipedia pages that relate to it, somewhere along the line you click on a link to a youtube video, watch 8-25 youtube videos, realize that you've trailed and you want to go back to whatever you were originally on the internet for but for the life of you, can't figure out what that was so.... type something new into the google search engine (something you just thought of perhaps because someone walked in and said something or you got on facebook for a quick check and saw someone's post) and start the entire process all over again.

Thus describes a typical 2 hours on the internet for me.

Anyway, today during my internet time I was seeing the phrase,

"I'm a Christian but I don't agree with everything in the Bible". 

I have heard this many times and it's something I'm interested in so I continued down this particular trail.  What I found prompted me to write this post. 

I NEED TO PREFACE this by saying that this is not me trying to put my finger in anyone's face.  This is me and what I believe. 

I'M GOING TO USE THE WORD 'CHRISTIAN' and this is what I mean when I say that: I believe that a Christian is a follower of Christ - one who has essentially told God, "I believe that You are the one true God, that I am a sinner, and that You sent Your Son to die for me.  Please forgive me of my sins because I am truly sorry.  I commit my life to You."

AND I ALSO AM NOT trying to make this about 'figuring out whether someone is or is not a Christian'.  Only you and God know your heart and if you have truly given your life to Him.  It's not for me to make a judgement call on that and I would never presume to do that. 

All THAT leads up to me saying this:

I believe that rather than say, "I'm a Christian but I don't agree with everything in the Bible.", one should either say,

"I'm a Christian but I think that sometimes God lies."

or

"I'm a Christian but I think I've got a better handle on how to deal with this than God does."

The Bible is not an opinion piece that one can agree or disagree with.  The Bible is the infallible Word of God to you and I - written by the hand of men, yes, but inspired by God.  This is His message of truth to us and His hand was 100% in it's making. 

If someone reads in the Bible that God created everything in 7 days (as an example) and says, "I don't agree with that" then what they're really saying is, "I know God is laying it out here and telling me that He created the earth in 7 days but I don't believe Him."  God was not giving an opinion on how maybe earth came to be - He was not presenting a possible theory.  He was telling us, "I made all this!"  One either believes that God is telling the truth in that statement (and all others) or one believe that God can and does lie.

If you do believe that God lies, then there are some pretty serious problems right there.  That would be a different blog post entirely.

Sometimes there are directions from God in the Bible.   For example, we are told by God expressly through the Bible not to lie, steal, or commit fornication.  For someone to look at those verses and say, "I don't agree with that" then what they're really saying is, "I don't believe that God knows best in this life situation.  I know a better way to live my life than He does."  I'm just going to say it:

That is arrogance.

There are some pretty serious problems there as well if one thinks that they know, understand, or can reason better than God.

Isaiah 44:6
Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.'

Isaiah 55: 8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, " declares the LORD.  "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

I would sincerely love for people to think about this before they say, "I don't agree with the Bible" - think about what's really being said by that phrase.  It is each Christian's right to believe that God is not telling the truth or that they know better than He.  I will point out that just because we have the right to think something doesn't necessarily make what we think correct.  But it is a right.  Just, please, realize what you're saying.

Alright - I've spoken my piece.  If you think differently than I do, please don't think that I'm shaking my finger at you.  This is not an angry rant, designed to sever friendships or start Facebook debates (I loathe publicly debating over a Facebook post - PM it, text it, call me, or knock on my door if you want to have a discussion like that :-)) or anything like that. 

I'm speaking what I feel that God has put on my heart this morning.  Take it how you will.  :-)
 

So....moving :-)

Well, informing the world of both joys and woes that came from moving is a bit overdue.

First of all, let me tell you that the biggest joy was that WE MOVED INTO OUR FIRST HOUSE!  Oh glory, it is amazing.

We began this journey back in November when, one night, our realtor convinced us to take a look at just one more house.  I didn't want to go because I had seen pictures online, seen the price, and thought that we wouldn't have a prayer.  But go to see it we did and the instant I walked in, this feeling of being home washed over me.  I had never felt anything like it through all the houses we had looked through before (even with the house that we had originally made an offer on weeks beforehand - the house that had fallen through)!  With each room I went in, the feeling just grew stronger.  THIS was a house we could live in for a long time.  THIS was a house we could spread out in (we DO have a lot of stuff).  THIS was a house that could host a lot of company (I love that we always have company).  THIS was a house that we could make into a home.

SO!  I went home that night and wrote a letter to the owners and we sent that with the proposal (which was sent the next day).  This began the paperwork process.

Oh.

My.

Goodness.

Paper.  Work.  AHHHH!

SO MUCH PAPERWORK!  In reality, it could have been worse.  It could have taken 8 weeks (it only took us 37 days to go from submitting a proposal to getting keys).  But still, over that time there were so many meetings.  There was so much paper to collect and copy/scan/e-mail.  There was so much to listen to.  There was literally hours of signing/initialing papers.  Seriously, our last meeting was 55 straight minutes of listening to the explanation of what each paper was and then signing/initialing the bottom.  I know it's all important but I am SO glad it's over with!

ON TO THE EXCITING PART - MOVING IN!

Well, it wasn't just exciting.  It was also exhausting, dirty, unorganized at times, and I'm still not all the way unpacked (which is driving me bananas!).  But the biggest portion of moving was exciting.  :-)  Let me tell you how it went:

We had been packing our apartment up for the 2 weeks leading up to the move - most days it was from after we got home from work until 11 at night or so.  On Friday (the day before the big move), the keys were dropped off to me at work and I picked up Veronica IMMEDIATELY after work was over.  I seriously bolted FROM my SEAT in the staff meeting when that minute hand pointed straight up.  We headed to the house (MY NEW HOUSE!) and started cleaning. 

Fact: we are cute.

Now, the house wasn't gross - it just needed to have a thorough cleaning for me to feel good about moving our things in.  Until 11:00 that night, we were cleaning cupboards, appliances, bathrooms, windows, floors, and walls.  Doing battle against tile whilst on hands and knees, combating scum and grease, fending off spiders - it was quite the event.

Not an exact scale model of us fending off our spiders but close!

We only took a break to go eat dinner at the Clay Oven (newish Indian food restaurant here in the valley - DELISH!) - then it was back to cleaning.  We arose at 6 a.m. the next morning and began the process anew.  The cleaning continued for most of Saturday but that would be only for me and Veronica - the boys had to actually MOVE our stuff.  Can I say that Avery and I have collected a lot of STUFF in our short lives?!  My goodness - it just kept coming!  And surprisingly, most of it appears to belong in my scrapbooking room....

Two full Uhauls and four truck bed loads later, all of our possessions were finally moved. 

Fine, upstanding gentlemen!

I love living in a house with stairs but I (and probably and some fine, upstanding gentlemen) were not excited about the stairs while we were doing unloading.  Did you know that we had two beds, two dressers, 3 tables, 7 bookshelves and a PLETHORA of book boxes that all had to be packed upstairs?  Goodness....

So that night, our first night in the house, Frank and Vivian came to town with Avery's piano in the back of their truck!  We had quite a time unloaded it but finally got it in the house and my teapots have resided on top ever since.

So in the last 3 weeks, we've steadily been settling in, unpacking, organizing, reorganizing, and building things (like a bed frame and coat rack).  It was amazing having Avery's parents here - we would come down in the morning and they would have already been up since the wee hours (early risers!) unpacking our house and getting things cleaned - kind of like elves!  Avery and his dad spent a lot of time in the garage building, which was cool.  Also, Frank and Vivian took over the kitchen for us - cooking AND cleaning!  We've been spoiled, let me tell you.  Lots of family dinners together (in our new dining room, at the new dining room table!) with both sets of siblings over - those have been great.  It's just been a pretty darn exciting few weeks!  :-)

So to sum all this moving up, let me tell you the top five woes and joys that came from this move:

Me after doing items 1-4...every time. 

Woes
#1. Packing after work is exhausting.
#2. Unpacking after work is exhausting.
#3. Deep cleaning for hours upon hours is exhausting.
#4. Looking through my unpacked boxes to find items is exhausting.
#5. We don't live upstairs from Kayla and her adorable wee bairns anymore. :-(







Joys
#1. Beautiful hardwood floors (as opposed to carpet) instantly lifts one's spirits.
#2. Not having to worry about loud noises bothering people to the right or the left of us is fabulous (bring on the surround sound!).
#3. A walk-in closet for me is so fantastic that I can hear a hallelujah chorus whenever I walk in.
#4. A real guest room makes me feel like a great host - not a good host, but a great host.  And that makes me happy.
#5. Having a bathroom for just Avery and I - amazing!
#6. Having all of my things actually be unpackable (vs. having to let them sit in cardboard boxes in closets for years on end) is so helpful.
#7. My books are all able to be displayed proudly (and alphabetically by genre) on shelves - truly a thing of beauty.
#8. Having a piano in the house is actually a lot of fun!
#9. My big kitchen counter is big enough for all I need it to be - it's glorious.
#10. Did I mention that I have a walk-in closet?
#11..... 

Wait, was I only supposed to give 5 joys....?  :-)

Keep Calm - The Hobbit 3 Will Release in 347 Days

My ticket - a treasure

The Hobbit - a magical book written by the genius J.R.R. Tolkien.  Enjoyed for the last 75 years by readers of all ages, now The Hobbit has been brought to life on screen by none other than Peter Jackson (yet another genius).  I read the book ages and ages ago but at the time that the first Hobbit movie came out, the only thing I could remember from the story was that a younger Bilbo goes on an adventure with Gandalf and some dwarves to a mountain containing both gold and a dragon.  I did not remember anything about the journey, the dwarves, the ending - nothing.  Then I watched the first movie and I fell in love again with the story!  I was tempted to reread the book to find out what happens to everyone because, of course, I'm curious.  But I didn't - I decided to wait for the next movie.  I wanted to be able to be surprised in the theater when I saw The Desolation of Smaug.  I'm sure I could have read the book first and still enjoyed the movie but that's the decision I made.

Hannah, I know at this point you're whining, "Racheeeeeellllle, this is too long - get to the point!"  If I were there in person while you were reading this I would respond with a sharp, "Hush and keep reading."

I love taking pics in front of the posters :-)

So anyway, on the first day of 2014, I went to the theater with some family members and we got great
seats.  From the very beginning, I was captivated by the story woven on screen.  I spent 2 hours and 40 minutes alternating between being on the edge of my seat, giving audible, "YeAH!"s, smiling with delight, covering my eyes, elbowing Hannah with whispered remarks, and constantly asking myself, "WHAT is going to happen next?!".  Since I've traveled this path, let me walk you through some of that amazingness that is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

*I don't think that this review contains any spoilers but if I'm wrong and I spoil something for you, I'm sorry!

Now, Peter Jackson had some great material to work with - Tolkien's Middle Earth tales are gold.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Jackson made some alterations (they always do when they turn a book into a movie) but the story remains marvelous.  We watch a hobbit, who's never left the comfort of home before, face danger and uncertainty on a huge level over an extended period of time.  This movie takes place 1 year after the first - Bilbo and the company of dwarves/Gandalf have been walking through Middle Earth, bent on their mission of reaching the Lonely Mountain, doing battle with Orcs and the like, for A YEAR!  What perseverance!

And to think that I complain about the hardships of being on an exercise bike for 45 minutes.  I shame myself. 

It was great to get a little back story on what happened that led up to the dwarves meeting Gandalf at Bilbo's house.  Rabbit trail: I appreciated Peter Jackson's cameo in Bree - I like when I can tell that it's him (his cameo in the first Hobbit movie was too difficult - I had to look it up).  Back on the path!  We find the company closer to the lonely mountain but getting there becomes increasingly difficult.  One difficulty is a forest of disgusting, huge spiders.  Bilbo is initially the savior of the group in that instance (I just love that he actually jumps in and saves people's lives as opposed to needing someone to save him - more on that later) but even this brave, vest-wearing Watson can't battle the entire horde of spiders that comes after them so of course, cue Legolas and his band of merry elves, fighting in all their elven glory.  Indeed, throughout this entire film, there are some really cool action scenes where we see the elves (especially Legolas) perform fun feats.  It's like they're ninja gymnasts but we get to see their faces and their long hair, free from the confines of a bun, somehow remains looking smooth throughout the entire ordeal.  I would say it's a miracle but I know that they're elves - that's just how they roll.

King Thranduil - I don't like him.

Speaking of elves, I don't like Thranduil.  Look at this face!  Even without watching him on screen,
you can just sense that:

#1: He's a little nuts.
#2: He has a thing for himself and power.
#3: He's not to be trusted.

This fashionista is not cool and I'm sad that Legolas is his son.
(Interesting tidbit: did you know that Orlando Bloom is actually 2 years older than Lee Pace?!)

Moving on to Tauriel, I couldn't help but still see Kate from Lost when I looked at her face.  It wasn't necessarily bad but it is a fact.  I'm not sure yet what I think of her role in all of this.  I know that she's Jackson invented (not in Tolkien's work) and it's not a bad role - I just don't know how necessary it was to create a love triangle.  On the one hand, it's a nice break from the constant walk, run, flash swords, run, etc.  On the other hand - really?  With a dwarf that she just met?  She's willing to disobey her king, leave their forest, pursue a band of bloodthirsty orcs herself - all for a dwarf that she had exactly one conversation with?  I'm not sure it's very believable.  But oh well - it didn't bother me.  Indeed, I am intrigued to find out this little pickle gets solved in the next movie!

'OhmygoshLegolaslookOUT!' face

Speaking of elves and bloodthirsty orcs, I was impressed that the fight scenes kept me so on the edge of my seat!  Even during fighting scenes involving characters that I knew had to live because they were in Lord of the Rings, I was still worried.  For example, I caught myself saying, "OhmygoshLegolaslookOUT!".  Yes, they were that good.    I thought that a main character was going to die at one point - I was just sure we were going to have another 'Sean-Bean-arrows-in-his-chest-slow-motion-style' episode and I was going to be so mad.  My tear ducts were on standby and the fires of intense anger were being stoked...but then it didn't happen after all.  *whew* Close one.
I did have to close my eyes once or twice during fight scenes (beheadings of orcs and manual dismantling of spiders are pretty gross) but that's fine.

In the later half of the movie, we're treated to a new area of Middle Earth - Laketown.  With that,

Bard: solemn, good bowman, possibly Will Turner's older brother

comes some new characters - the most indelible of which is Bard.  Indelible why, you ask?

#1. He wears a coat that although it looks like it's seen better days, is still pretty cool.  I want one.
#2. He could TOTALLY be Will Turner's older brother and I know I'm not the only one who thinks so.
#3. He's a bigger part of this Smaug drama than what initially meets the eye.
#4. Last but certainly not least, he's a good guy.  Thorin and Co. don't want to trust him but fooey on them.  He was good to his word.  And Bard wants what's best for his family and his community.  His arguments against Thorin's plan are pretty legit - he's thinking realistically.

Also, we took a 'Which Hobbit Character Are You?' quiz and it says that I'm Bard :-)


Now, we come to Smaug, the stupendous.  I was surprised that he did so much talking - but how wonderful!  Benedict never fails to rise to the occasion.  His voicing of Smaug was brilliant - just brilliant.  Gave me goosebumps.  The exchange between Bilbo and Smaug intrigued me.  Bilbo's answer to Smaug's 'Who are you?' was marvelous - just marvelous!

Bilbo Baggins: hobbit, adventurer, cleverest and bravest of them all!

Speaking of Bilbo, can we just wrap this up with my very favorite character?!  Bilbo, with his fantastic vests and facial expressions - he is a wonder.  Here he is, on his very first adventure, actually swinging his sword, taking out wargs and orcs, being the one to save others instead of always needing to be saved.  Bilbo is courageous in a way that Frodo is not.  Bilbo gets things done in a way that Frodo can not.  Now, I like Frodo - he's a good character!  But he pales in comparison to Bilbo.  Bilbo is quick on his feet both literally and figuratively.  The responses to both Gollum (in the first movie) and Smaug i(n this one) are clever.  Bilbo is fair and just, he doesn't give up, even when everyone else does, and he sees the good in people.  What a guy.  What a hobbit.  Three cheers for Bilbo Baggins!!!

Now, I think that'll do it for now.  I would like to remind you that I have NO IDEA how the next movie will end.  I watched that cliff hanger and resolved to not read the book, look anything up online, or talk to anyone about the ending because I want to be very surprised in the theater next December.  Please do NOT give anything away to me :-D

Now, if you haven't seen The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, GO SEE IT!  :-D

Greatest Wizard: Gandalf, Dumbledore, or Merlin?

Over lunch, Avery asked me, “Who is a better wizard: Gandalf, Dumbledore, or Merlin?” 

Gandalf - Lord of the Rings

Dumbledore - Harry Potter

Merlin - Merlin

I stopped mid-chew of a turkey sandwich.  The question had never been asked of me before and I’d never linked the three of them together – WHAT was the answer?! 

The more I thought about it, the more confused I became.  I’m still confused but the question must be answered so here I go, on a quest to discover truth.  You may join if you wish (I have cool photos).

*Please note 1: some info may be gather from the actual books that produced the movies, rather than just from what we see in the movies themselves.

*Please note 2: When I speak of Merlin (also known as Emrys but I’ll call him Merlin for the duration of this blog) I will be speaking of Merlin from the BBC show Merlin – I know nothing else about the character Merlin than what I’ve seen in this show (Disney’s Sword in the Stone doesn’t count – wonderful as it is).

Round 1. Magic: Who has more powerful magic?

Gandalf shows us his magic in pyrotechnics most often – firework, flaming pinecones, inflaming trees, keeping fires going in blizzard conditions, etc.  We see him use his stick as a flashlight and blow smoke ships through Bilbo’s smoke rings – those are fun pieces of magic.  And if he needs a ride he speaks the language of the moths so they can go collect the eagles for him.  As far as real power – it was pretty amazing that he created the bubble shield against the Balrog (I’m curious why he didn’t use that more often though….seems like it would have come in handy against people like the Witch King of Agmar) and when he came back to Middle Earth we can see that his power has grown when he snaps Saruman’s staff with a mere spoken word.  He also possesses some ability to see into the future.  And let’s not forget that after Pippen’s dangerous encounter with the palantir, Gandalf restored him. 

Dumbledore studied magic his whole life.  He dueled and defeated a great wizard named Grindelwald, despite the fact that Grindelwald possessed what was possibly the greatest wand of all time.  The powerful Dumbledore took the powerful wand and with it, became the only wizard that the evil and quite powerful Voldemort feared.  Lots of power going on here.  Later, Dumbledore uses his magic to capture all Death Eaters but one and then he encases Voldemort in a dome of water, turns Voldemort’s hurling glass into sand, and makes statues obey his commands.  On a lighter note, we see Dumbledore doing fun things like blow out or light candles and put food on the table (I LIKE that!).  He can either apparate or head out in style on a Phoenix if the going gets rough.  And this dude knows how to pull memories out of his head so he can reflect on them and share them with others.

Merlin is young, far younger than the other two wizards.  However, age does not a wizard make.  Gaius himself tells Merlin right off the bat that he’s special – most wizards have to study to use their gifts but with Merlin it’s elemental and instinctive.  With a golden light in his eyes and an utterance (aloud or in his mind) Merlin can defeat any monster that crosses his path, save the city from plagues, heal desperately sick people, control dragons (since he IS a dragon lord), control elements like wind and water, expose villainous witches and warlocks, engineer escapes for those who were wrongly imprisoned, bring magical lightning down out of the sky to defeat a powerful witch and then use the power of life and death to bring Gaius back from death, create potions not just for healing but also for the undoing of powerful and evil witches/wizards, see into the future….these things are done in every episode.  Under the very nose of Uther.  Without anyone but Gaius and Lancelot ever knowing.  Sometimes, no one knows.

Ladies and gentlemen, I think our choice is clear: Merlin has the strongest magic.

Gandalf: 0     Dumbledore: 0         Merlin:1

Round 2. Strength: Who would win in a battle if magic wasn’t allowed?

Gandalf is a real trooper.  He walks everywhere so he’s in much better shape than Dumbledore even though he’s older than Dumbledore.  Rather than solely relying on the magic of his staff (as Dumbledore his wand), Gandalf wields his staff as a pretty mean weapon and his sword skills aren’t bad for an old man.  He actually kills Orcs, Goblins, and Urak hai with those things.  Dumbledore probably couldn’t lift a sword.  Of course, Merlin being young, is in much better shape than either wizard but he does tend to trip and goof up without his magic (one reason why Arthur laughs when someone suggests that Merlin is a powerful wizard).  He has some sword skills but in the end, he must always rely on magic.

That means: Gandalf takes this round.

Gandalf: 1     Dumbledore: 0         Merlin: 1

Round 3. Wisdom: Who is the most clever, the wisest of them all?

Gandalf is a source of wisdom for the fellowship.  He knows what’s going on with the ring, he knows that he should not be the one to take it because he could not withstand the temptation to use it, so he sends it with the best possible person – Frodo.  Furthermore, Gandalf knows that Frodo will need Sam so he has Samwise Gamgee pack up and go along.  Gandalf knows where to find answers and he knows how things will probably end up so he plans accordingly.  Once he becomes Gandalf the White he becomes more clever and convinces others to help him distract Sauron’s eye from Mount Doom so Frodo and Sam have a chance.  Gandalf is one who sees men for what they are and for what they might be.  And you gotta’ love this:

“Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many.” ~ Gandalf  

Dumbledore was the most clever headmaster Hogwarts ever saw.  No matter what was done in ‘secret’ – Dumbledore always knew what was up.  From the beginning of Harry’s life, Dumbledore was setting in motion plans that would keep him safe and plans that would eventually bring the demise of Voldemort.  Dumbledore’s knowledge seems to know no limits – he even knew how many turns on the time-turner it would take to get Hermione and Harry to the EXACT moment they needed to be at to save more than one life (The Prisoner of Azkaban).  Meanwhile, Dumbledore never runs out of great things to say:

“Do not pity the dead Harry.  Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.”

 “It is a curious thing, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.  Those who have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

“Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right.”

“It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

In the beginning, Merlin largely relies on either the dragon or Gaius for wisdom.  Merlin seems to know what his heart wants or what he feels is right but he has a harder time looking at everything in perspective and thinking about the whole picture.  He does, as he ages, gain more wisdom and he does make decisions that in the end, turn out to be good ones.  However, I can’t say that Merlin is wiser than Gandalf or Dumbledore. 

Choose between those two, I’m going to go with: Dumbledore (with Gandalf as a close second).

Gandalf: 1     Dumbledore: 1         Merlin: 1

Now that we’re all tied up…

Round 4. Selflessness: Who puts their own personal desires on the shelf the most?

A sign of a great man, wizard or no, is selflessness – can he put aside his own, personal desires and do what is right, even when it’s hard and there may be no glory in it for him?

Gandalf must be selfless.  In a way, the fate of Middle Earth rests on what Gandalf decides to do.  The ring tempts him but knowing that it would end very badly for all if he took it, he refuses.  Rather than just hopping in his wagon and traveling through the fire setting off fireworks and smoking his pipe, Gandalf joins the Fellowship on a quest that he knows will be hard and he may well lose his life.  Indeed, Gandalf pays the ultimate sacrifice in the mines of Moria – he sacrifices his life to save the others from the Balrog. 

Dumbledore must be selfless.  In a way, the wizarding world rests on what Dumbledore decides to do.  He could easily have been like Prime Minister Fudge and buried his head in the sand.  Life would have certainly been easier for him.  He would have never had to watch people suffer and struggle.  He wouldn’t have been slowly dying from the ring with the Horcrux in it.  He wouldn’t have had to torture himself by drinking the potion in the cave to get to the Horcrux.  He wouldn’t have had to ask a close friend to kill him.  But Dumbledore was brave, thought of others first, and sacrificed his life.

Merlin must be selfless.  The fate of Arthur, the kingdom of Camelot, and the land of Albion rests on his young shoulders.  Merlin must make difficult choices every day.  Sometimes Merlin must choose between what is right and what his destiny is said to be – because sometimes they are at odds with one another.  Sometimes Merlin holds the power of life or death of a truly despicable person in his hands and he alone knows it.  Sometimes Merlin must choose to illuminate the truth even when it will have dire consequences – but he does because that is what’s right.  Sometimes Merlin must let die someone he loves because it must be that way.  To keep secret that he has magic, Merlin must allow all others except Gaius and Lancelot to think him clumsy, stupid, and fairly worthless.  Merlin never takes credit for what he’s done – usually he finds a way to give Arthur the glory for anything done well.  Not that Merlin wouldn’t like some recognition – indeed, he struggles with it at times.  However, he never does bring to light his triumphs because ultimately in his heart, he does all that he does simply because he knows that it is right and that it must be done.  Merlin lays his life down readily many times not only for individual people that he loves but also for the good of the country.  He does not ever actually have to die but he does come pretty close – believing that he will.

These three are all selfless and two did have to give their life, in the end.  If I’m to choose who is the most selfless, I would have to say: Merlin – because he lived his life always in the shadow of another.  The most powerful man in the land and everyday he chose to be the bumbling, stupid servant of the king.  He was ready to sacrifice his life at a moment’s notice for the country, for his friends, and for his king.

Gandalf: 1     Dumbledore: 1         Merlin: 2

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you our winner, the greatest wizard of the three:

Please feel free to give me your supporting or opposing viewpoints :-)

Top 10 Favorite People (born between 1900 and 1940)

Can I share with you a list of my top 10 favorite people born between 1900 - 1940?  I hope you have one too but if you really DON’T have one, I would be deeply saddened to know - so please don’t ever tell me. ;-)

My list is a quite fantastic list and I’m sure everyone will agree wholeheartedly with me as they read (I can already hear your ‘Amen!’s and ‘You got that right, Rachelle!’s) because that’s just the way the world works, right? 

*your cue to say, “You got that right, Rachelle!”  ;-) 

Anyway, we’ll start down with number 10 and work our way to the top, the cream of the crop, shall we?  This list is of course, in order by way of my favorite – not by date of birth.

10. Eugene Maurice Orowitz (October 31, 1936 – July 1, 1991)

You may know him as Michael Landon – or you may be fortunate enough to know him as Charles Ingalls.  Actor, writer, director, producer, javelin thrower – Michael Landon was a man with talent.  Can we all agree though: his role as Charles Ingalls was the very embodiment of old-fashioned American ideals?  A wise, caring husband and father, Charles Ingalls persevered against the wrong in the world (both natural and man-made) in a way that inspired and so, I have yet to enjoy seeing an actor portray a man, a father, and a husband more than Michael Landon did for Charles Ingalls!

9. Katherine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003)

WHAT a woman!  She could act with the best of them (most notable performance in MY opinion was Rooster Cogburn and the Lady because it was just so fun) but I really love that she walked to the beat of her own drum.  I may not agree with all of her opinions and such but the fact that she decided not to let society or any one person tell her how she should live her life is pretty admirable. Despite society’s expectations at the time for women, Katherine Hepburn did what she wanted.  She wore pants.  She was active outdoors.  She said what was on her mind.  Gotta’ admire that moxie!

8. Richard Wayne Van Dyke (December 13, 1925 – present)

Dick Van Dyke, folks – Dick Van Dyke.  This man was a DJ on a radio station, an actor on both Broadway and film, a dancer, a singer (CURRENTLY IN an a cappella group called The Vantastix), and a comedian.  Now that he’s 88 years old I think he’s taking it a bit slower but he sure made a good impression in his day.  Is his Cockney accent terrible in Mary Poppins?  Yes.  Do I love it?  Yes.  Is Caractacus Pott my favorite of all his roles because every little bit of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is just so amazing?  Yes – a million times, YES!

7. David Daniel Kaminsky (January 18, 1913 – March 3, 1987)

If you’re someone who loves to laugh, is it possible to NOT love Danny Kaye?!  He is just fantastic.  My all time favorite Danny Kaye performance is either as Red Nichols in Five Pennies or as Phil Davis in White Christmas.  I love his singing, his dancing, his acting, and his comedy.  This man has a genius for making me laugh.  They way he could recite (especially when singing) the tongue twisting hilarity is just unbelievable. 

“I became an entertainer not because I wanted to but because I was meant to.” ~ Danny Kaye

6. Harry Lillis Crosby, Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977)

Christmas music = Bing Crosby

Give me a word association test and show me a picture of a Christmas tree – I just might shout out ‘Bing Crosby’.  How can one have Christmas without watching Bing in White Christmas? I certainly can’t!  I HAVE to watch it every year the week of Christmas (preferably Christmas Eve or Day).  Who can get properly into the Christmas spirit without listening to Bing croon White Christmas and all the other essential holiday songs?  I certainly can’t!  On a side note, it just makes me sad to hear almost ANYONE else try to sing White Christmas.  Did you know that Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is the best selling single of ALL TIME?  In 1947 he had to re-record it with the same musicians and everything because the master from 1941 was so damaged from being used to make copies - they needed a new master! 

Of course, Bing is more than just Christmas.  He has 41 number 1 hits, he did the most for G.I. morale during WWII, and trailing only behind Clark Gable and John Wayne, Bing Crosby is the most popular movie actor (as far as amount of tickets sold for one his movies goes).  Bing is one of only 22 people to have THREE stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (for acting, radio, and audio recording)!  Bing was a founding member of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (a group which included Charles Howard – owner of Seabiscuit), an assistant football coach on the college Gonzaga team, part owner for a time of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

In his autobiography Don't Shoot, It's Only Me! (1990), Bob Hope wrote, "Dear old Bing. As we called him, the Economy-sized Sinatra. And what a voice. God I miss that voice. I can't even turn on the radio around Christmas time without crying anymore.”

5. Marguerite Henry (April 13, 1902 – November 26, 1997)

I grew up reading over and over and over again books like Misty of Chincoteague, Justin Morgan had a Horse, King of the Wing – OH, King of the Wind!  These books by Marguerite Henry inspired my imagination as a child and caused me to fall in love with horses.  I relished the majesty of Sham, the triumphs of Little Bub, and the wildness of the Assateague ponies.  Those stories will live on in my heart forever.  Thank you, Marguerite Henry!

4. William Henry Cosby Jr. (July 12, 1937 – present)

If I had to pick one T.V. show to own/watch and it could only ever be that one, I would have a hard time choosing between 2 shows and one of them is The Cosby Show (number one show in America for 5 years).  I dearly love the family values, humor, and love in The Cosby Show and while those qualities could have existed in that show without Bill, they certainly couldn’t have existed to that degree without him.  Bill Cosby is magic.  His expressions, his voice, his use of the English language – he weaves a mesmerizing spell and I can’t stop watching him or listening to him (loved to pop in the Bill Cosby: Himself cassette tape when I was younger).  His book Fatherhood is also mesmerizing to me – once I start reading it I must persevere until the book is finished in that sitting.   It is, for real, laugh out loud funny!

3. Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)

I have been listening to the King for as long as I can remember.  Angel, Let Me Be (Your Teddy Bear), Can’t Help Falling in Love for You – it doesn’t matter the song: his voice is incredibly unique – no duplication possible.  Elvis impersonators can be entertaining but it’s never the same.  For that reason, I listen to Elvis radio frequently.  Another avenue for enjoying Elvis is his movies!  Now, I know that he is not the best actor but his movies are truly entertaining and while you watch an entertaining film you can listen to truly AMAZING music!  It just doesn’t get any better than that! 

2. Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979)

The Duke – THE cowboy of all time!  John Wayne needs no introduction – you all know his acting.  Whether he’s portraying an imposing cowboy, a mighty catcher of African animals, a daring oil well fighter, or a leading military man – John Wayne is the picture of strength, courage, and American patriotism.  I look up to John Wayne as a hero.  Now, he was not perfect.  No one is.  But He is one of my very favorite people.  Would you please read what Ronald Reagan wrote?  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/1148830/posts

1.  Betty Jane Billings (August 12, 1926 – present)

Born and raised in Oregon, Betty Jane (called ‘Jane’), my great-grandmother, is one of the finest people I know.  I love her sweetness and humor.  When she laughs I can’t help but join in.  She is a whiz at crossword puzzles – no one can beat her.  Her spaghetti – it’ll blow your socks off it’s so good.  Grandma Billings can tell me stories from a time when children actually played outside and with each other because T.V. hadn’t been invented yet.  Those are pretty wonderful.  She is a wellspring of wisdom and love.  She is a pillar of strength and a source of laughter.  She is my grandma and I love her!

A Christmas Wrinkle (a really big one that won't come out no matter how hard you iron)

How do you deal with disappointment?

For all the times I talk to other people who are having a terrible day and try to console them, for all the times I ask people to list the good things that are going on so that they can put things in perspective, for all the times when I tell someone, “It’ll be ok – tomorrow is a new day” – I feel like I should be able to handle my own trials and tribulations better. 

Avery and I have been planning on Christmas in Haines for weeks – getting all excited about it and spirits have been high.  Every time we talk to my folks we mention how much fun it’s going to be to be all-together again (that hasn’t happened since Christmas 2009 I believe) – Tyler and Josh are even flying up from Bellingham!  Today (Friday) I woke up knowing that I’d be on a flight tomorrow morning and all set for a full week +1 day in Haines with the family.  Life was good this morning. 

At lunch Avery called me.  His boss told him this morning that he couldn’t go on his trip.  She gave him verbal permission 3 weeks ago that he could have this time off. She gave him written permission earlier this week. Then today she said that she scheduled a bunch of phone interviews for him to do on Thursday so he couldn't go on his trip after all. The trip that she had already given him permission for. He asked her 3 times today to reconsider - told her it was holiday travels to be with family - that he had a SCHEDULED OUT OF TOWN TRIP! And she told him that he had to be in his office on Thursday morning. And there's no flights or ferries on Christmas (the ones on Christmas Eve don't work for us). So because of her precious phone interviews that couldn't even wait until Friday she up and decides that we can’t be in Haines for Christmas with our family.

I’m not upset with her.  I’m outraged.  Early today when I first found out, then I was upset.  I spent my last 3 hours at work crying every time I remembered that I wouldn’t be going to Haines for Christmas after all.  Even when I had kids in the room and we were doing a reading lesson – I couldn’t help it.  I know what I’ll be missing out on.  The first Christmas Eve service in the new church.  Everyone coming out of the bedroom in their pajamas on Christmas morning, just like when I was a kid.  Luke being a big enough boy this year to open his presents with zeal and show excited faces when he realizes what he got. A hot breakfast just like we always had after presents.  Getting dressed up to go outside for sledding or just to play in the snow.  Luke’ll be able to play outside this year.   He’ll look adorable in his little snow outfit and Haines snow is so much prettier than Juneau snow.  Christmas music playing while we cook a Christmas dinner and then everyone dresses up so we can sit all refined-like at the table while we drink sparkling cider out of champagne glasses – it always made me feel so grown up when I was younger (still does, to be honest).  Playing games, laughing, just being together as a family on what is kind of the biggest family day of the year we have.  I’m missing out. 

It’s not like I’ve never had a Christmas not in Haines ‘cause I have.  But I was a day away from this highly anticipated trip.  One day away – and it got taken.  My brothers were coming.  Kayla and Josh are there with 2 adorable nephews.  Luke is old enough to appreciate Christmas this year.  The first Christmas Eve service at the new church - I was crushed.  Then after Avery came home and gave me more details I became outraged at how she could do this to us.  What can Avery do?  Quit?  Not likely – we need the money.  So what to do?

Well, after much tears and much surveying of the ferry/airlines schedule to confirm that it would not work for us to be in Haines for Christmas Eve/Day and that the best we could do is 2 ½ days in Haines before coming back on Monday night, I had to think about how best to handle this disappointment.  First thought was getting in touch with Avery’s boss to let her know exactly what I’m thinking.  Decided against that.  Next thought was that I needed to drown my sorrows in Lark Rise to Candleford and chocolate.  Did that for 2 hours.  Decided I should find a more permanent solution to the problem.  Started talking to God.  Asked Him for some help ‘cause I couldn’t get myself out of my funk. 

He started bringing things to my mind – things like, it could be worse.  You could have no days at all in Haines (2 ½ days are better than none).  You could have no family at all to be with on Christmas Day – I will be with Avery (my best friend).  I could be really sick in a hospital or in poverty where I’m living in a shelter instead of an apartment.  So ok, it could be worse.

Then He started bring other things in – things like, what is Christmas about anyway?  Is it about pajamas and hot breakfasts, presents and sledding?  No, Christmas is a time to be with family, yes, (and I do get 2 ½ days with everyone else – and I will be with Avery the whole time) and a season of thankfulness and hope, but more importantly, it’s a time to remember Christ.  While it’s highly unlikely that His real birthday is December 25^th, that day is a day we should use to remember how that’s where it all started – Him coming as a babe and laying in a manger.  And I can celebrate His coming anywhere, with anyone, in any circumstance. 

Life will go on.  We’ll make the most of our Christmas Day – thanking God for His Son, Avery and I will have the whole day together to do what we wish, and it’ll be fine.  The rest of the week it’ll be so quiet for me here in town that I’ll get caught up on my huge to-do list and maybe read a book or two or three.  Life will go on.

So how did I deal with disappointment?  Lots of crying, then anger, then less anger (the outrage is still there but the violent outrage is gone), then God’s reminder of perspective.  Eight hours, 2 hours of T.V., chocolate, 2 Aspirin, a box of Kleenex, and a talk with God and I’m ok.  Still a little bummed, of course, but willing to make the most of the situation rather than wallow in self-pity.  Maybe it’s good for me to be reminded of how it feels to experience extreme disappointment and to practice overcoming it.  Regardless of this major Christmas wrinkle, I will have a merry Christmas because I can and I'll say:

 Merry Christmas, everyone!